Turkey signs anti-female violence bill

Euronews

In an historic move Turkey has become the first country to ratify a Council of Europe agreement to prevent violence against women.

The convention, the first of its kind in the world, outlaws all forms of violence, and criminalises practices such as forced marriage, female genital mutilation, sexual harassment, forced abortion, sterilisation and stalking.

This is a particularly hot issue in Turkey as this year alone over a hundred women have been killed by family members.

The signing of the bill, which has been championed by Turkey, was marked by a march consisting only of men – including a few celebrities – in Istanbul. It took place on the international day for the elimination of violence against women.

Metin Uca, a Turkish TV Star on the march said:

“In a time when violence against women is perceived as ordinary and legitimate, it is good for the men to show that not every one supports this. I think this is crucial”